72 HOURS OF DECADENCE

Dubai is home to many culinary treasures. From world cuisine served in fine-dining restaurants to Arabic delicacies whipped up inside humble kitchens in souks, the city has something for every palate. PRIYANKA CHAKRABARTI samples the city’s variety during the Dubai Food Festival.

- PRIYANKA CHAKRABARTI

AT A TIME WHEN SAFETY is the top priority for travellers, Dubai has aced the game by receiving recognition from the World Tourism Organisation for its continuous efforts to combat the pandemic. So, when I received an invitation from the Dubai Tourism Board to attend the annual Dubai Food Festival (visitdubai.com), my travel-starved mind was filled with a deep sense of wanderlust.

I land in Dubai on a sun-kissed afternoon. I’m supposed to quarantine in my hotel, Sofi tel Dubai Downtown, for 24 hours—until my COVID test results arrive. I spend this time indulging in scrumptious in-room dining; think creamy mushroom soup, alfredo pasta, and the quintessential chicken biryani that unfurls a gamut of delicate flavors. After a restful slumber and a reassuring negative test report, I’m ready to make acquaintance with Dubai’s best gastronomic offerings, one restaurant at a time.

AN ODE TO LONDON